Ah, sorry, now I get you. Very interesting. I still kind of read it my way, even while watching the scene. I associate the awe with the hand not the line, which I guess I associate with the concept of being worthy, which is to me what I think Spike always wanted when he chased love. So I get the same sense of the arc but not tied to him rejecting love. But then, I DID see Angel + know the comic, which colors things for me. It's certainly a valid read though and I do see where you're coming from.
Yeah, I was sad but extremely pleased with their ending when I initially watched it, and I remember being surprised by the negative reading once I entered fandom. But I am able to cut the Buffyverse off at “Chosen” (likewise, AtS ends for me somewhere before they started screwing over Cordelia), so I’m always missing a piece of the puzzle in discussions.
Also, I meant to mention, despite disliking Shiver, I’ve started reading TRC since you’ve been raving about it for a long, long time. I finished The Raven Boys the other day and loved it, which seems like a positive sign for the next one. I don’t really have an opinion on Ronan or Adam—I’m guessing that’ll change with TDT? So far Blue’s probably my favourite, and Gansey’s rich person guilt and accidental condescension amuses me the most.